North Carolina Takes Up Host's Mantle for October Events

Israel has announced that they won't be able to hold the 2024 Féderátion Aéronautique Internationale World Championships of Artistic Events, Formation Skydiving, Wingsuiting and Speed Skydiving as planned, reopening the bid to interested host nations.

The situation there makes the Israelis understandably put upon to host a large international event, but surprisingly the world had few takers on their slot as host. The US Parachuting Association said that surprisingly, only a single host bid was placed. The International Skydiving Commission therefore had to award the 2024 Championships to the United States by default. It's not entirely surprising that there was little competition for the honor - putting on a world-class event isn't easy or simple even with plenty of warning, and time is already short.

The winner was announced on the 1st of December, with North Carolina's Crystal Coast Skydiving hosting the Championships out of their home port of Michael J. Smith Field. The public airport will play host to the world from October 4th through the 12th, 2024. Events will include local skydive operators Skydive Chicago and Skydive Paraclete XP, in addition to Crystal Coast Skydiving.  

"Holding the world championships here in the United States is a great honor," said USPA Executive Director Albert Berchtold. "We are fortunate to have wonderful drop zones here that have the capacity and desire to support and host our world community. This event, to be held in a beautiful coastal community and organized collaboratively with two of our largest skydiving operators, is a testament to the skydiving community coming together to create a unique and memorable 2024 FAI World Championships."

FMI: www.uspa.org